The brother of a teenager who died of a rare and terminal condition will take part in the Dublin Marathon on Sunday in honour of his late sibling.
Ten years ago, the lives of the Naughton family were changed forever when doctors told them that their sons Archie, George and Issac all had Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD); it is a neuromuscular disease that means they are unlikely to live beyond their early 20s.
In July, Archie, the eldest of the three boys, passed away at the age of 16 - leaving behind a “heartbroken” family.
In an interview with Newstalk last year, their mother, Paula, described DMD as an “absolutely horrific disease”.
"Every now and again he [Issac] looks up at me and says, 'Mummy, do you think I'll ever be able to play football again?'” she said.
"And it's absolutely crushing, but it's not as crushing for us as obviously it is for them.
"They see all of their friends walking and running, and doing all of the things that children are supposed to do - and they're paralysed in wheelchairs and they are getting weaker everyday".
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The Naughtons said it was Archie’s “dying wish.. that his twin brothers do not have to endure the same horrific death he did” and the Join Our Boys Trust works with registered charities that work on research for a cure.
Archie previously took part in the Dublin Marathon using an assisted runner and the Naughtons said it was his “favourite event in the year”. Now his younger brother, Isaac, and 14 other members of #TeamArchie are stepping up to honour his memory.
All who wish to make a financial contribution to the Join Our Boys Trust may do so here.
Main image: Paula Naughton with Archie (15), George (11) and Isaac (11). Picture by: Trisha Kennedy
